"...for my house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples." Isaiah 56:7

"O Lord,...you have been pleased to bless this house of your servant, so that it will always remain. It is you, O Lord, who blessed it, and it will be blessed forever." 1 Chr 17: 26-27

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“From here in Ephesus, a city blessed by the presence of Mary Most Holy — who we know is loved and venerated also by Muslims - let us lift up to the Lord a special prayer for peace between peoples.” - Pope Benedict XVI, Papal Homily at "Mary's House" in Ephesus, Turkey, November 29, 2006

Tell me about Sr.Marie and this Foundation!

OK! Watch the RomeReports Film to your right. Then view our Foundation Filmjust below it for a glimpse into the inspiring and hopefilled Cause of Sr. Marie. (Reading material below DONATE button.)

Virtual Tour of Mary's House

Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal ~ Paris, France

Parents of Archbishop Giuseppe G. Bernardini, OFM, Cap.

Prayers for the Beatification of the Servants of God
Sergio Bernardini and Domenica Bedonni
EnglishSpanishRecall that Arch. Bernardini is the one to give the Imprimatur to the Prayer for Sister Marie's Beatification!

Thursday, September 22, 2011

We had the distinct pleasure of meeting Robin Senior, author of this piece, a couple of days ago while visiting a local Rosary Group to tell about Sr. Marie and Mary's House. She shared with us her tale of visiting Mary's House and how the lyrics of certain songs "played in her heart." The little excerpts from these hymns seem to be chosen by Mary herself. When we visit Mary in her home, she teaches us about her Son.

“Come and see what I have done, I’ve given my only son.He lived for you and he died for you.Come and see.” Tom Kendzia’s Pieta echoed in my ears as we ascended the mountain approaching Meryem Ana Evi, the remains of the house where the Virgin Mary is thought to have spent her last years with the disciple John, in Ephesus, Turkey.Often the Lord speaks to me in hymns and today was no exception.We, my sister Tracy and youngest daughter Seanna, were on the fifth day of our trip, a quasi pilgrimage. In Istanbul we discovered two Roman Catholic Churches, but neither celebrated weekday Masses. In Capadoccia we entered many cave churches, replete with colorful frescoes depicting scenes from the New Testament, remnants of places Christians worshipped secretly in the sixth through ninth centuries.

Finally we arrived in Ephesus on Sunday, August 16, the day after the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As we entered the house now attached to a small chapel, with a throng of other tourists, emotion overtook me.Tears streamed from my eyes.I wanted to stay and pray, but we were herded through like cattle. However, I was afforded an opportunity the following day.

Early Monday morning my sister and I set out.Again as the car took us up the mountain, I heard, “he lived for you and he died for you, come and see;” upon reaching the site, “here in this place new light is streaming, now is the darkness vanished away;” and entering the house, “shepherd me oh God, from all my wants, from all my fears, from death into life.”

The place was cool and peaceful at this early hour.Unlike the previous day, Tracy and I were alone except for two nuns and a monk preparing the altar for Mass.Soon, two other monks and a priest entered.I do not remember what hymns we sang, but there was an otherworldly quality about the sound of a cappella voices. Again I felt Mary’s presence and tears welled.

The gospel was that of the wealthy young man who asks Jesus what he must do to enter the kingdom of God and when told to sell everything, give to the poor and follow Him, went away sad for he had many possessions.The priest spoke in soft Italian, for us it is not many things that separate us from God, but rather one thing - one sin.And I knew the sin for me involves disobedience, the antithesis of Mary’s fiat!As we descended her mountain I knew she had touched me and something within had shifted.

Pieta by Tom KendziaCome and see what I have done.I've given you my only Son.He lived for you and He died for you. Come and See.Lamb of God, Lamb of God,Have mercy on us, forgive us Lord.Come and see what I have done.I've given you my only Son.He lived for you and He died for you. Come and See.

Mini Bio of Sr. Marie by Carl Schutle, C.M.

Sister Marie de Mandat-Grancey, Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, was born of a noble and holy family in the Diocese of Dijon, France on September 13, 1839. She desired from a young age to serve God with all her heart and answered her vocation. (Postulant, May 27, 1857, First Vows, September 27, 1862.) At the end of her second assignment in France she was inspired to find the House of Mary in Ephesus, Turkey. At that time Pope Leo XIII requested missionary assistance in Asia Minor. Sister Marie responded.

In 1886 she served as the French Naval Hospital in Smyrna, Turkey, and was appointed Superior in 1890. While in Smyrna she encouraged as expedition to find the House of Mary, Mother of Jesus, headed by Vincentian Priests. On July 29, 1891, Mary’s House, built by St. John the Apostle, was discovered. Archaeologists identified the ruins of a 1st century A.D. house with a Church from the 4th century A.D. having been built over it. On October 21, 1891, Sister Marie received permission from Fr. Fiat (Superior of the Vincentians) to purchase the property in her name which occurred on November 15, 1892. Sister Marie restored the House making it a place of pilgrimage for all people, especially Christians and Muslims. During restoration, three stones from the hearth, built by the Apostles, were found. One of these stones (cornerstone) was given to the de Mandat-Grancey Family Chapel in France to confirm her holy life, work, and devotion to God and the Blessed Virgin Mary, uniquely identifying Sister Marie with this primitive Apostolic community.

All of our recent Popes have visited the House: Pope Paul VI on July 26, 1967, Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass November 30, 1979, and Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Mass on November 29, 2006. Sister Marie lived a life of detachment, dedication, virtue, obedience, and charity; she died on May 31, 1915. Her Cause of Beatification was opened on January 21, 2011.

We encourage all promoters to download, print, copy and bind any articles, booklets, or leaflets found on our website –www.sistermarie.com- for non commercial distribution. Non English speaking promoters may have any article or leaflet faithfully translated into their local language for the purpose of advancing promotion for the opening of the cause for the beatification of Sister Marie.